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AJ Reynolds/OnlineAthens & The Athens Banner-Herald

Black team quarterback Hutson Mason is touched in the backfield for a sack by Red team defensive lineman John Taylor during the first half of the G-Day spring football game on Saturday at Sanford Stadium. (AJ Reynolds/Staff)

Redshirt freshman defensive end John Taylor, who worked with the second teamers, again showed he could make a push to join the top group.

Taylor was credited with seven tackles and a scrimmage-high two sacks. He moved from nose guard to defensive end this spring under defensive line coach Chris Wilson.

“I think the D-line is really doing a nice job,” coach Mark Richt said. “I think Coach Wilson is doing a good job of coaching some good fundamentals, and some guys that have kind of been waiting in the wings are getting a chance to prove that they belong.”

That includes redshirt sophomore Sterling Bailey and junior Ray Drew at end.

Richt spent the second and third quarters of G-Day in the broadcast booth and Taylor’s name came up both times.

Richt said that the 6-foot-4, 325-pound Taylor from Jenkins County could move into a frontline spot.

“He’s very athletic,” Richt said on CSS. “He can be a nose guard without question but he’s also athletic enough to be an end. He’s probably athletic enough to play tight end for that matter. ... He’s either going to start or he’s going to get a boatload of playing time.

— Marc Weiszer covers Georgia football for onlineathens.com. Follow him on Twitter or check for updates on his blog.